But, of greatest concern, were the closing comments from club chairman Denis O’Connor who said that it was not ‘viable to continue to run a club at the level expected by fans without the proper support’.

O’Connor asked, ‘What is the point if we cannot get the minimum financial and supporter base which a great club like this deserves?’

The statement bore all the hallmarks of laying the groundwork for cuts to come, even though they appear keen to sign Conor Clifford, who again failed to make Dundalk’s matchday squad.

That was despite Stephen Kenny shuffling his pack with three changes from the side which beat Galway United 2-0 on Monday.

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